Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today applauded the withdrawal of additional lead based paint regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).   In a letter dated April 15 to EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson, Senator Snowe, along with eleven other senators, expressed deep concerns about the Agency’s new amendments to the rule requiring "clearance testing" to prove the presence or absence of lead following a project's completion, which could result in significant additional costs.

"Today's ruling is a major victory for small business owners nationwide saddled with needlessly onerous regulations that are stifling their ability to grow and prosper during these difficult economic times," said Senator Olympia J. Snowe, the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.  "As we learned during its initial implementation back in 2009, this well-intentioned effort to protect pregnant women and children from lead exposure presented significant unintended consequences and undue burdens for renovators and homeowners alike.  It is essential that agencies account for the impact new federal regulations will have on the economy, families and small businesses before rules are promulgated.  I am pleased that, in this instance, EPA has withdrawn a proposed regulation deemed unnecessary and urge the agency to continue its stringent evaluations to mitigate the effects of rules that impose government costs and burdens where they are not necessary."

In April, 2010, Senator Snowe requested EPA provide a one year delay in fines and penalties for violation of the initial led based paint rule due to concerns over its implementation.  In a letter to Administrator Jackson, Senator Snowe asserted, “While our economy has stalled a significant amount of renovation work, I do not believe that a pending EPA rule should exacerbate that situation.”  A full copy of Senator Snowe’s 2010 letter may be accessed by clicking the link below.